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Betancourt hoping haircut helps end cold spell

5/7/13: Yuniesky Betancourt launches a two-run home run to left field off Justin Grimm, giving the Brewers an early 5-0 lead in the first

By Adam McCalvy
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MLB.com |

ST. LOUIS -- So much for the Yunihawk.

A cold streak personally and for the team prompted Brewers infielder Yuniesky Betancourt to buzz the mohawk he had been sporting for several weeks, a superstitious bid for some better results. Since homering in three straight games starting April 29, Betancourt was hitting .154 with a .200 on-base percentage in 14 games entering play Saturday night. In his nine most recent games, he was 3-for-33 with no RBIs.

So, he got a haircut.

"Have to change something," Betancourt said.

Asked about the source of his sudden slump, Betancourt said, "I'm swinging too much at balls off of the zone. I feel a little off. The last days, I feel a little tired. But the last two days I feel much better. [I am] seeing the ball and I'm getting my timing back."

Betancourt has been serving as the Brewers' regular first baseman with Alex Gonzalez slumping and Corey Hart still rehabbing from right knee surgery. That arrangement will probably persist; manager Ron Roenicke said he knew of no plan to send Hart on a Minor League rehabilitation assignment before June 1.

Adam McCalvy is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Brew Beat, and follow him on Twitter at @AdamMcCalvy. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.